In an ideal world, every new construction project would take place on a plot of perfectly clean and prepared land that is well suited exactly for the purpose. In reality, most projects, especially those in urban areas, are sited on property that has a history, and not always a clean one. Often, that history means…
A Building Condition Assessment (BCA), also known as a Facility Condition Assessment (FCA), is a systematic inspection, review, and report on the state of a commercial building’s structure and systems. It is often compared to a home inspection, but it provides more detailed information and is necessarily more complex due to the nature of and…
The presence of asbestos can be hazardous to workers and building occupants during renovations and even in the course of daily business, and the only way to know if it is a problem is to test for it. What Is Asbestos and Why Is It a Problem? Asbestos is a heat-resistant silicate fiber that is…
Nobody looks forward to a visit from an OSHA Compliance Officer. An OSHA inspection can be disruptive, and often results in citations and fines. It also usually means that some sort of problem has already been identified or a complaint has been filed. Here’s what you need to know to be prepared for the possibility…
If you’ve recently received the unwelcome news that there may be mold contamination in one of your buildings, you may need a mold consultant. Mold is a significant health hazard and deserves immediate attention and remediation. But who should you call when you need a mold consultant? Obviously, you want someone you can trust and…
Five billion dollars. That’s the number the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it collected in criminal fines and civil penalties for violations of federal environmental guidelines in 2018. In addition, more than $1.2 billion was committed by private firms to clean up contaminated sites, while prison terms for violations of environmental violations increased from previous…
Imagine this. You’ve just taken over management of a new facility. The roof was replaced six months ago, so it’s the last thing you think you have to worry about. Except it’s actually the first thing you have to worry about. The roof begins leaking badly right after you take over, and a quick inspection…
